Padres on deck: Visiting first-place Arizona

Hayne Palmour IV / San Diego Union-Tribune

A three-game sweep at the hands of the Dodgers followed a three-game winning streak as the Padres struck out 45 times in the series, fourth-most during a three-game series since 1913, according to STATS, Inc. That effort included 20 in a 12-inning loss on Tuesday, tying a franchise record. San Diego dropped 11 of 19 last year against Arizona.

A 3-1 victory on Thursday gave Arizona its sixth straight win over the Giants to start the 2018 season. The team’s 13-5 record matches the 2008 Diamondbacks for the best start in franchise history. Arizona has a three-game lead in the division over the Cardinals and a 4½-game lead over the surging Dodgers.